A council decision to refuse a large development near Takeley has been strengthened by a government inspectorate decision over 135 homes near Great Canfield.

Uttlesford District Council has refused planning permission for 275 homes on the southern edge of the Flitch Way in Takeley, due to the threat of adverse harm to the openness, character and intrinsic beauty of the countryside.

It also ruled there was no mechanism to secure measures that would be required if planning permission were to be granted, including the provision of 40 per cent affordable housing, an education financial contribution, the transfer of a 2.1ha site for education purposes, the provision of a £108,000 financial contribution for health and a £37,000 financial contribution for works to the Flitch Way.

But now a ruling from the government inspector has thrown doubt on any further development south of the Flitch Way – the route of a former railway line that passes through 15 miles of rural Essex between Bishop’s Stortford and Braintree.

The flat, relatively straight and well-surfaced route is a favourite with joggers, cyclists, dog walkers, horse riders and families looking to escape the traffic.

There are a number of interesting sites along the way, including Victorian railway stations, Hatfield Forest, Great Notley Country Park, Rayne Station with its Booking Hall Café and several historic towns and villages.

Mike Robins, the inspector who ruled against the Gladman planning application in Great Canfield, said: “The Flitch Way, despite its man-made origins, now defines a clear and defensible boundary to the settlements of Takeley and Priors Green.”

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He added that while the boundary was breached by Takeley Park, that permission recognised it was outside of the identified settlement and the development plan provides clear controls over future development.

Mr Robins added: “In extending development beyond the Flitch Way, it would not only compromise the naturalised boundary that has been respected by all recent development in the area, but would introduce a potential precedent and significantly, an urbanising influence on an important, and highly regarded country park and local wildlife site, the Flitch Way.”

Since 2001 Takeley has had an unprecedented house building programme, growing as much as 120 per cent.

Campaigners have been boosted by the announcement after they argued the addition of 275 homes in a proposal for Bonnington Green would cause considerable harm to the village and set a precedent for development south of the Flitch Way, which to date has provided a natural boundary between Takeley and the villages to the south.

Nigel Brown, development manager at Uttlesford District Council, said: “I think if the applicant in this application put forward an appeal, I think we would strongly go for costs because clearly the Flitch Way is written and we’ll see where that takes it.

“It helps because the inspector says the only reason it has been breached for Station Road is for Takeley Park and quite clearly reasons out why Takeley Park is an exception.”